With full-on sunshine and the thought that it could get thermic, after so much rain there was a spring in everyone’s step.  Only a brisk northerly reminded us all that it can be cold out on the airfield despite the sun.  By the time of the first launch there was a hint of thermic activity above us, much earlier than had been forecast.

We were delighted to welcome another group of Officer Cadets from Taurus Squadron which is the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme (DTUS)  support unit for Aston and Birmingham Universities.  DTUS is a sponsorship scheme for students who will be joining the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force as Engineering Officers (or Logistics Officers for the Pongos).  (BTW, for those who don’t know, a Pongo is a small brown furry animal of limited intellect!).  Suffice to say there were no Pongos amongst this group and it was delight to see them all.

By the time that Jack H launched at 11:15 it definitely was thermic and conditions offered the first chance for our pilots in training to experience these conditions, a first for most. Viz was stunning, so much so that it was easy to pick out the radio telescope dish at Jodrell Bank glinting in the sunshine.

Many of us have enjoyed our reciprocal membership arrangements with the Mynd which works superbly in practice and it was great to see Robert K on the airfield who had come to take some aero-tow and spin training with fellow Mindy and instructor Nigel L.  Many thanks for helping out Robert and we hope to see you on another occasion.

Whilst Hog-of-the-Day went to Liam R with a flight of 1hr 30 mins, enjoying a quite different view of the airfield from time-to-time, Snooze-of-the-Day went to Darcey who, once she had recovered from her nap, then enjoyed a flight in an occlusion,  reaching cloud base at 3,300ft over Shrewsbury.  For unknown reason both these achievements were under the capable guidance of the CFI!

If you were to wander over from the quarters to enquire about flying you never know what might happen next and so it was that Eliza bagged herself a cheeky flight toward the end of the day – see you next time Eliza.

Lastly, we welcomed new member Emma from Cosford who enjoyed three flights with instructor Nigel R.  Thanks for all your help today on the airfield Emma and we will see you soon.

A thoroughly enjoyable day in the best conditions that we have enjoyed this year.  Twenty two launches for a total flying time of 11hrs 35mins speaks for itself.